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US politics23 December 2025

USSC Briefing Room | Understanding the MAGA rift

Non-Resident Senior Fellow Lester Munson joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss the future of the MAGA after tensions over the Epstein files and foreign interventions.
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Recently we have seen cracks forming within the MAGA (Make America Great Again) movement. We are seeing Republican members of Congress push back on issues, like the Epstein files or President Trump’s approach to Ukraine, in the most significant way since he took office in January.

What is causing these rifts within the MAGA movement? Is MAGA whatever President Trump says it is? How are these tensions likely to play out?

Non-Resident Senior Fellow Lester Munson joined Director of Engagement and Impact Mari Koeck to discuss these questions. Lester has held multiple positions on Capitol Hill and is based in DC, at the epicentre of these MAGA tensions.

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Produced by: Elliott Brennan

Music by Dan Phillipson, licensed through PremiumBeat